BSFS Soprano

This was built during the 2007 Meat ‘N Taters class at Blue Stone Folk School in Noblesville, Indiana (north of Indianapolis.) If you’re interested in learning how to build a uke, or want to play one better, I recommend looking into it.

Here’s what it looked like before I started. That’s me holding everything but the strings, tuners, and maybe the fretwire. (photo by Geoff Davis)

No detailed building log here, but it all came together (except for the finishing) in a week. The back, sides, and neck are all mahogany. The fretboard and bridge are rosewood. Finish is French polish - my first attempt, and it came out better than I expected, but still far from perfect. Here’s a shot of the back, which has really nice grain.

And a couple more closeups. The headstock faceplate isn’t bookmatched, that’s the grain reversing direction in the mahogany.

I have to thank Geoff Davis for his instruction, as well as Alan, Cliff, and Paul for their support, and especially Dennis for the use of his shop and tools. (But not the micrometer. I’m not quite that anal.)

Nothing fancy on the edges, they’re just rounded a bit so they don’t dig into your arm while playing. The back is arched, which you can see in this side shot.

Another gratuitous shot of nice grain, and the most important part -- the label.

Here’s the highly organized modern production facility in which we worked. Everything ran like a well-oiled guinea pig.

This was my first time building with a Spanish heel, and I think I’ll tray at least one more using that construction. I also realized that all those jigs that I thought I didn’t need are really useful after all.

No sound clip yet. When I get one ready, it’ll be on the Sounds page.

Last updated 03 March 2008